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Feb 13, 2012

Friends, if you're like me you have poor impulse control. That's why I'm just going to go ahead and show you how my faux fur Seventies coat looked earlier today, right after I performed the "turn of the cloth" (flipping the facings to the front), revealing my very understated feral cat lapels and collar.
There's still a bit of understitching to do to keep things in place, but I think you'll agree this coat makes a statement. Having grown up in the Seventies in the Bronx of all places, a coat like this has strong associations and I'm not talking about my childhood best friend Maury's mother Francine. Though come to think of it, I'm pretty sure Francine had a coat very similar to mine. If she didn't, she should have.

She did drive a Ford LTD -- or was it her ex husband's -- which would definitely go with the coat.

I'm not sure how much interest you have in the construction of this coat anymore, but I'll share a few things I think warrant mention. First, slightly off topic, the dogs just love sitting in my faux fur scrap pile and I think they're trying to tell me they want faux fur coats too. Dream on, boys.

Since my leopard-y print (What is this cat print exactly?) was rather thin in comparison to the sheared pink rabbit, I padded the collar and lapel pieces to give them extra oomph. I basted some beige fleece I had in my remnant stash and I'm so glad I did; it really makes a difference. The fleece is trimmed so it doesn't get caught in my seam allowances, as one would interfacing.

I also padded both front lapels.

I didn't add grosgrain ribbon or twill tape along the fold line; I don't think it's necessary though I might change my mind; we'll see how my energy holds up.

I attached my overcollar to my right and left front facings, which were already attached to the neck facing. I then stitched the whole kit and kaboodle to the coat itself, having already attached the undercollar, trimmed seam allowances, and turned them up.

Having shaved my seam allowances on the sheared rabbit fur side, my seams were very manageable and neat. They ended up getting trimmed down to about 3/8" or less anyway.

As always, I've been vacuuming as I go, and when I remember it, I put on my face mask. It gives Michael a good laugh if nothing else.

I'm nowhere near done, of course. One thing I left for last was pockets, because I wasn't sure if I wanted slit pockets or patch pockets. The original pattern calls for patch pockets and it's doable in this fur; I just have to think about how it will look. If you have an opinion about it, let me know before I start cutting/slitting etc!

I also wanted to line the coat, though frankly, the inside looks a lot like shearling and isn't offensive to me at all. I could simple bind my facing edges, hems, etc., and call it a day. Thoughts? Also, how about the cuffs and/or hem? Should I add the cat fur there too, or is the collar/lapels plenty?

I agree with GirlSpazDog - call it Eartha Coat. I personally wouldn't put the animal print on the cuffs or hem. I like the slightly understated look - but perhaps that is a misnomer with this coat. I would make in seam slit pockets. I'm really thrilled with this coat and I'm thrilled with your detailed photos. I'm now rushing to finish my last three SWAP items so I can get to my purple faux fur coat. I'm seriously thinking of ditching the jeans and adding the coat to my SWAP!! There's already so much dog hair in my house that a little purple fur wouldn't make a difference!

Outstanding! Ix-nay on the patch pockets. I'd like to see big cheetah cuffs and a matching cheetah belt. If you have the energy a sweet silky pink lining would be divine. I think Cathy would like that. Think of the drama quotient when she flings off the fur to reveal the Halston number underneath. ShaZam!

You do work fast! This is looking good--so Huggy Bear! My fave picture is the doggies--they need a bed out of this. I can identify with all the vacuuming and my fur isn't nearly as long. I keep finding little furlets around the house.

Initially, I wasn't too excited about your fabric choice, but now that I see your vision near completion, I really like it! Please make the pups little coats too or if nothing else, little pillows for threir basket. Just think how cute they would look on their treadmill in little pink fuzzy coats!

Amazing! Lining would make it easier to wear - the inside might be a nightmare since it makes your clothes stick to it - not bad for a pantsuit or jumpsuit but for a dress,trust me,it's awful. Been there - trust mr

Trust me I meant. I had a coat with that type of inside and it pretty much made my blouse hike up and unbutton - quite embarrassing when I opened my coat. Line it even if you wear it to your event unlined on Tuesday. Slit pockets and cuffs with the leopard print.

That's faux cheetah - and it boosts the coat into the fabulous zone. Yes to the suggestion of rhinestone buttons and cheetah-print belt. You need a wide-brimmed pimp hat, too. Can you get more faux cheetah?-- stashdragon

I agree with the majority here about the slit pockets. Patch pockets would make it stray into bathrobe territory (what was that said earlier about bathroom accessories...?). I also think you should do cheetah fur cuffs, but not the hem. Leave the hem as it is. And since you have gone to SO MUCH EFFORT so far with all that cutting and vacuuming and shaving, finish the job off properly by lining the coat in something fabulous. Like cheetah print satin!

Ladies of my mum's generation in Australia who couldn't afford posh fur often called the ratty rabbitskin trim on their coats 'lapin' (ie french bunny). So maybe name this fabulous fur after you - 'lappin'?

I vote for spot cuffs, silky lining in a deep pink (for all the reasons already given) and in-seam pockets so there's just a flash of the darker pink. If pink is too much of a good thing, then perhaps a discrete cream- but I suspect Francine would prefer pink. Whatever you decide, Cathy will cause envy palpitations in all directions when she models it.

I see stashdragon beat me to it...that is definitely cheetah print. My personal fave is ocelot and jaguar, but they are very difficult to come by. Just like reticulated python is the default 'snakeskin print" even though there are any number of fabulously complex snake skin patterns out there! I about went crazy when I saw Alexander McQueen's digitized snakeskin fabric!

a boy, a dream, and 10+ sewing machines

I'm a native New Yorker and sewing fanatic! I started sewing in 2009 and today make all my own clothes using vintage sewing machines and vintage patterns, in addition to sewing for private clients. Welcome to the warm and whimsical world of Male Pattern Boldness, where the conversation is sewing, style, fashion, fabric, and more!